Trouble Having a School Computer Recognize a USB Drive?

Sometimes school laptops, netbooks and PCs will not show/recognize a USB drive through the school menu under "My Computer". If this happens, open the program for the file you are trying to open first, open the USB drive through the program and then open the file (e.g. open PowerPoint, open the USB drive through PowerPoint, and then open the PowerPoint file). This is often an effective work-around for staff and students.